Casio G-Shock MR-G GPS Hybrid Gold Hammer Tone MRGG1000HG-9A

The G-Shock collection (since 1983) from Casio contains models for 99 US dollars or Euro’s. This limited edition Casio G-Shock MR-G GPS Hybrid Gold Hammer Tone MRGG1000HG-9A is doing around 6,000. It’s their top model of the MR-G collection with some extraordinary features and it celebrates 20 years of MR-G.

First there is the titanium case. It has a lug to lug height of 54.7 millimeters, is 49.8 millimeters width and 16.9 millimeters thick. Which means you will wear a clock around your wrist, not a watch. The bracelet is also from titanium. The titanium is heated in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen gas used to create a 20-30µm hard layer on the material’s outer surface. So, in fact it is harder than pure titanium.

Second, each one of this 300 pieces limited edition is handcrafted using the traditional Japanese Tsu-i-ki technique. This is a traditional craft method that creates unique relief patterns through hammering. The third generation master metal craftsman Bihou Asano individually hammers each bezel and band of the 300 watches using this Tsu-i-ki technique.

Third, inside is a Casio quartz movement with GPS controlled world times using national radio time signal broadcasts as a backup in case no GPS connection is available. It has solar charging, a perpetual calendar, a world time indication, chronograph, alarm, latitude indicator, battery power warning system. And more functions you will probably never discover. Everything you can do with a traditional watch, can be done by this G-Shock as well. But it’s huge. And ugly. Also beautiful. But nerdy. And very cool. Besides, its name is too long and there are some pretty alternatives in the same price range. But non of them can do what this Casio can.